Chevrolet Spark EV will be first with SAE combo connector
option in late December

SAN DIEGO--October 2, 2013: The SAE International DC “Combo” Fast
Charge station installation at the Fashion Valley Mall here is a milestone
for plug-in electric vehicles – the first public installation in the
U.S. of an industry-coordinated standard for fast charging of plug-in
electric vehicles.

The Chevrolet Spark EV, available in California and Oregon, will be the
first EV in the U.S. to offer the SAE International fast-charge connector
as a vehicle option starting in late December.

“The launch of these new charge stations will help improve the
convenience and adoption of electric vehicles because they dramatically
reduce the charge time,” said Pamela Fletcher, executive chief
engineer of electrified vehicles at General Motors. “The SAE Combo DC
fast charge stations are the result of EV industry collaboration to help
customers benefit from available public infrastructure.”

The new combined AC and DC charging, or combo, connector is accessible
via a single charge port on the vehicle and allows electricity to flow at a
faster rate, making EVs more convenient for longer trips and for EV owners
who may lack convenient access to overnight home charging.

“San Diego Gas & Electric applauds the collaborative efforts it
took to make San Diego home to the world’s first retail SAE DC fast
charge station,” said Lee Krevat, director of smart grid and clean
transportation for the utility. “Our local drivers that have vehicles
equipped with this charging system connector will be the true beneficiaries
of this technology.”

Many major automakers including GM, Ford, Chrysler, BMW, Daimler,
Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche have announced they will adopt the SAE combo
fast charge connector standard. Earlier, many of the world’s major
automakers had adopted the SAE’s 120V/240V AC connector standard to
assure plug-in vehicles could access all charging infrastructure regardless
of vehicle make or model.